Scald-preventive disposable cup holder

ABSTRACT

A scald-preventive disposable cup holder is disclosed to have an endless peripheral wall formed of paper material, a through hole defined by the endless peripheral wall and extending through top and bottom sides thereof, a  -shaped cut formed in the endless peripheral wall for enabling a part of the endless peripheral wall to be turned outwards from the endless peripheral wall to form a handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a disposable cupholder for holding a cup and more particularly, to a scald-preventivedisposable cup holder.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Disposable paper or plastic cups are intensively used in coffeeshops, fast-food chain stores, drive-through restaurants, etc., forholding coffee, beverage, soup, or the like for takeout ordering.However, it is scalding to hold a hot cup directly with the hands. Someshops may provide clients with a paper cup holder for holding the cup,preventing direct contact of the hands with the cup. However,conventional paper cup holders simply have a barrel-like cup bodywithout handle. A cup holder of this design simply postponestransferring of heat energy from the cup to the user's hand. The hightemperature of the content carried in the up will still be transferredto the user's hand, causing the user to feel uncomfortable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention has been accomplished under thecircumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention toprovide a cup holder, which has a scald-preventive handle thateffectively reduces transferring of heat energy from loaded cup to theuser's hand. It is another object of the present invention to provide ascald-preventive cup holder, which is made of inexpensive paper materialfor disposable use. It is still another object of the present inventionto provide a scald-preventive disposable cup holder, which is easy andinexpensive to manufacture.

[0006] To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, thescald-preventive disposable cup holder comprises an endless peripheralwall formed of paper material, and a through hole defined by the endlessperipheral wall and extending through top and bottom sides thereof,wherein at least one z,900 -shaped cut is formed in the endlessperipheral wall for enabling a part of the endless peripheral wall to beturned outwards from the endless peripheral wall to form at least onehandle.

[0007] Further, protruding ribs may be formed on the inner or outersurface of the endless peripheral wall to provide a heat isolationeffect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the collapsed status of ascald-preventive disposable cup holder with two

-shaped cuts at two sides according to the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but showing one handle turned out ofthe respective paper sheet material.

[0010]FIG. 3 illustrates the cup holder opened for the loading of a cupaccording to the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3A is a schematic drawing showing a cup holder ofdouble-layer paper material for the loading of a cup according to thepresent invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the collapsed status of ascald-preventive disposable cup holder with one

-shaped cut for one single handle according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but showing one handle turned out ofthe respective paper sheet material.

[0014]FIG. 6 shows the open status of the cup holder shown in FIG. 4.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a top plain view of a cup holder with ribs on theoutside wall according to the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a front plain view of the cup holder shown in FIG. 7.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a plain view showing a cup held in the cup holderaccording to the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 10 is a top plain view of a cup holder with ribs on theinside wall according to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a front plain view of the cup holder shown in FIG. 10.

[0020]FIG. 12 shows a cup held in a barrel-like cup holder according tothe present invention.

[0021]FIG. 13 illustrates the collapsed status of a cup holder formed oftwo narrow elongated strips of hard paper with extension lugs at bothends of each elongated strip of hard paper according to the presentinvention.

[0022]FIG. 14 shows the open status of the cup holder shown in FIG. 13.

[0023]FIG. 15 illustrates the collapsed status of a cup holder formed oftwo narrow elongated strips of hard paper with one extension lug at oneend of each elongated strip of hard paper according to the presentinvention.

[0024]FIG. 16 shows the open status of the cup holder shown in FIG. 15.

[0025]FIG. 17 shows the open status of a rectangular cup holderaccording to the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 18 shows another alternate form of rectangular cup holderaccording to the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of still another alternate form ofthe cup holder according to the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 19A is a perspective view of still another alternate form ofthe present invention, showing the folded status of the extension lugs.

[0029]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of still another alternate form ofthe present invention, showing a single hole formed in the bondedextension lugs for handle.

[0030]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of still another alternate form ofthe present invention, showing two holes formed in the bonded extensionlugs for handle.

[0031]FIG. 22 is a schematic drawing showing an I-cut on the bondedextension lugs according to the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 23 is a schematic drawing showing a double Y-end cut on thebonded extension lugs according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, two certain thickness paper sheet materialsare arranged in a stack and stamped into a cup holder 1 subject to thedesired shape. During shape forming, two substantially

-shaped cuts 11 are formed in the cup holder 1 at two opposite sides,thereby forming two handles 13. Further, two vertical folding lines areformed in the cup holder 1 at two sides and extended to the top andbottom edges of the cup holder 1 for folding. Each handle 13 has oneside connected to the cup holder 1 by a connection line 12, which allowsthe respective handle 13 to be turned in and out of the respective

-shaped cut 11, and a finger hole 14. The finger hole 14 can be madehaving any of a variety of shapes. When extended out, the finished cupholder 1 is shaped like a tapered stub tube for holding a cup. Further,the bottom edge 10 of the cup holder 1 is smoothly upwardly curved (thiswill be explained further).

[0034] The two handles 13 are respectively turned out of the respective

-shaped cuts 11 of the cup holder 1 (see FIG. 2), and then the cupholder 1 is extended out (stretched into the three-dimensional operativeshape). Alternatively, the cup holder 1 can be extended out beforeturning the handles 13 out of the respective

-shaped cuts 11 of the cup holder 1. Thus, a cup 2 can be inserted intothe cup holder 1 and rested therein as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9. Whenusing the cup holder 1 to hold a cup 2 containing hot water, the usercan hold the handles 13 with the fingers, preventing direct touch of thefingers with the peripheral wall of the cup holder 1 that absorbs heatfrom the hot water contained in the cup 2. As indicated above, the cupholder 1 is shaped like a tapered stub tube having a relatively biggerinner diameter in the top side and a relatively smaller inner diameterin the bottom side, it holds the cup 2 firmly in place. Further, becausethe bottom edge 10 of the cup holder 1 is smoothly upwardly curved, ithas a certain prestress for supporting the load of the cup and thecontained substance in the cup.

[0035] The cup holder 1 can be made of a double-layer paper material,having the outer layer of the double-layer paper material properly cutto form the desired handles 13 and the inner layer of the double-layerpaper material printed with a logo at the location corresponding to thehandles 13 (see FIG. 3A).

[0036] According to the second embodiment of the present invention asshown in FIGS. 4˜6, two certain thickness paper sheet materials arearranged in a stack and stamped into a cup holder 1 shaped like atapered stub tube for holding a cup. During shape forming, onesubstantially

-shaped cut 11 is formed in the cup holder 1, thereby forming a handle13. The handle 13 has one side connected to the cup holder 1 by aconnection line 12, which allows the handle 13 to be turned in and outof the

-shaped cut 11, and a finger hole 14. The finger hole 14 can be madehaving any of a variety of shapes.

[0037] According to the third embodiment of the present invention asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cup holder 1 has vertical ribs 11 protrudedfrom and equiangularly spaced around the outside wall. The vertical ribs11 increase the wall thickness of the cup holder 1. When holding the cupholder 1 with the fingers, the fingers are in contact with the verticalribs 11, less heat energy will be transferred from the cup held in thecup holder 1 to the user's fingers.

[0038] According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention asshown in FIGS, 10 and 11, the cup holder has vertical ribs 11 protrudedfrom and equiangularly spaced around the inside wall. The vertical ribs11 increase the wall thickness of the cup holder 1. When holding a cupwith the cup holder 1, the vertical ribs 11 support the cup in place,and therefore less heat energy is transferred from the cup held in thecup holder 1 to the peripheral wall of the cup holder 1.

[0039] Further, corrugated paper material may be used to make cupholders, achieving the desired heat insulation effect. A cup holder canalso be made having raised portions protruded from the inside or outsidewall.

[0040] According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention asshown in FIG. 12, the cup holder 1 is made having the same innerdiameter in the top side as well as the bottom side for holding acylindrical can food or beverage.

[0041] According to the sixth embodiment of the present invention asshown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the cup holder 3 is formed of two narrowelongated strips of hard paper. The two narrow elongated strips of hardpaper of the cup holder 3 each have two extension lugs 31 at the ends.The extension lugs 31 of the two narrow elongated strips of hard paperare bonded together, forming a respective handle. After bonding of theextension lugs 31, the two narrow elongated strips of hard paper of thecup holder 3 are stretched into an open status, thereby forming acircular cup holder.

[0042] According to the seventh embodiment of the present invention asshown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the cup holder 3 is formed of two narrowelongated strips of hard paper. The two distal ends of the narrowelongated strips of hard paper are respectively bonded together. Eachnarrow elongated strip of hard paper has an extension lug 31 at one endfor forming a handle. After bonding of the ends of the two narrowelongated strips of hard paper, the two narrow elongated strips of hardpaper are stretched into an open status, thereby forming a circular cupholder.

[0043] Alternatively, the cup holder 3 can be made having a rectangularshape with extension lugs 31 at two sides as shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 18shows another alternate form of rectangular cup holder according to thepresent invention.

[0044] According to still another alternate form of the presentinvention as shown in FIG. 19, the cup holder 3 is formed of a narrowstrip of hard paper curved into a barrel-like shape, having twoextension lugs 31 respectively extended from the two distal ends andbonded together, thereby forming a handle.

[0045] According to still another alternate forms of the presentinvention as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, hole or holes 311 are formed inthe bonded extension lugs 31 of the cup holder 3. Making a cut 312, forexample, a crossed cut (see FIGS. 20 and 21), I-cut (see FIG. 22), ordouble Y-end cut (see FIG. 23) on the bonded extension lugs 31 and theninserting the finger through the cut 312 form a hole 311 in the bondedextension lugs 31 of the cup holder 3.

[0046]FIG. 19A shows still another alternate form of the presentinvention. According to this embodiment, the cup holder 3 is formed of anarrow strip of hard paper curved into a barrel-like shape, having twoextension lugs 31 respectively extended from the two distal ends andbonded together, thereby forming a handle. Each extension lug 31 has afirst lug portion 31A, a second lug portion 31B, a third lug portion31C, and a respective vertical folding line 31D between the first lugportion 31A and the second lug portion 31B and between the second lugportion 31B and the third lug portion 31C. Each extension lug 31 isfolded inwards along the respective vertical folding lines 31D to havethe first lug portion 31A and the second lug portion 31B bonded togetherand the third lug portion 31C bonded to the inside wall of the cupholder 3. Further, the cup holder 3 has a vertical folding line 31E onthe middle remove from the handle (the extension lugs 31). Through thevertical folding line 31E, the cup holder is collapsed into a flatmanner.

[0047] A prototype of scald-preventive disposable cup holder has beenconstructed with the features of FIGS. 1˜23. The scald-preventivedisposable cup holder functions smoothly to provide all of the featuresdiscussed earlier.

[0048] Although particular embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in detail for purposes of illustration, various modificationsand enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited exceptas by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A scald-preventive disposable cup holdercomprising an endless peripheral wall formed of paper material, and athrough hole defined by said endless peripheral wall and extendingthrough top and bottom sides thereof, wherein at least one

-shaped cut is formed in said endless peripheral wall for enabling apart of said endless peripheral wall to be turned outwards from saidendless peripheral wall to form at least one handle.
 2. Thescald-preventive disposable cup holder as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe number of said at least one

-shaped cut is 2 for enabling a part of said endless peripheral wall tobe turned outwards to form two handles.
 3. The scald-preventivedisposable cup holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of saidat least one

-shaped cut is 1 for enabling a part of said endless peripheral wall tobe turned outwards to form a handle.
 4. The scald-preventive disposablecup holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said endless peripheral wallis formed of one single layer of paper material.
 5. The scald-preventivedisposable cup holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said endlessperipheral wall is formed of two layers of paper material.
 6. Thescald-preventive disposable cup holder as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe part of said endless peripheral wall for turning outwards to formsaid at least one handle has at least one hole.
 7. The scald-preventivedisposable cup holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said endlessperipheral wall has ribs protruded from an inner surface thereof.
 8. Thescald-preventive disposable cup holder as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid endless peripheral wall has ribs protruded from an outer surfacethereof.
 9. The scald-preventive disposable cup holder as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said endless peripheral wall is formed of corrugatedpaper.
 10. The scald-preventive disposable cup holder as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said endless peripheral wall has raised portionsprotruded from an outer surfaced thereof.
 11. The scald-preventivedisposable cup holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said endlessperipheral wall has raised portions protruded from an inner surfacedthereof.
 12. The scald-preventive disposable cup holder as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said through hole has a diameter gradually reducingfrom the top side of said endless peripheral wall toward the bottom sideof said endless peripheral wall.
 13. The scald-preventive disposable cupholder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said through hole has the samediameter in top and bottom ends thereof.
 14. A scald-preventivedisposable cup holder comprising an endless peripheral wall formed oftwo pieces of paper material, said two pieces of paper material eachhaving two distal ends respectively bonded together and at least oneextension lug extended from at least one of the two distal ends forforming a respective handle after bonding of the distal ends of said twopieces of paper material.
 15. The scald-preventive disposable cup holderas claimed in claim 14, wherein said two pieces of paper material arenarrow strips of paper material each have two extension lugsrespectively extended from the respective two distal ends for forming arespective handle.
 16. The scald-preventive disposable cup holder asclaimed in claim 14, wherein said two pieces of paper material arenarrow strips of paper material each have one extension lug extendedfrom one end thereof for forming one handle.
 17. The scald-preventivedisposable cup holder as claimed in claim 14, wherein said two pieces ofpaper material are sheets of paper material each have two extension lugsrespectively extended from the respective two distal ends for forming arespective handle.
 18. The scald-preventive disposable cup holder asclaimed in claim 14, wherein said two pieces of paper material aresheets of paper material each have one extension lug extended from oneend thereof for forming one handle.
 19. The scald-preventive disposablecup holder as claimed in claim 14, wherein said endless peripheral wallhas a folding line on the middle remote from the two distal ends of eachof said two pieces of paper material.